Rail Capacity Report – 3/7/2023 – 3/13/2023

Freight Rail Capacity Observations for Week (3/7/2023 – 3/13/2023):

• The 7-day moving average number of trains moving westbound past Chilliwack was 29.6 trains/day, significantly above the average of 25.7 trains/day that is required to move the typical volume of all commodities.
• The moving average number of trains/day was above 25.7 trains/day for all 7 days during this past week.
• During the week ended 3/13/2023, the 7 day moving average for total trains decreased by 0.5 trains/day, falling from 30.1 trains/day as of 3/6 to 29.6 trains/day as of 3/13.

As of 3/13/2023, rail traffic in six of the seven categories we track was at or above its long-term average level. Manifest trains (4.4 trains/day), grain (7.9 trains/day), coal (5.1 trains/day), and other traffic (1.4 trains/day), were all above their 2022 average levels. Intermodal traffic was at its 2022 average level of 7.1 trains/day, breaking a streak of 17 previous weeks during which intermodal traffic had been below the long-term average level. Potash traffic was at its 2022 average level of 1.4 trains/day for the second consecutive week. Only petroleum traffic (2.1 trains/day) was below its 2022 average level.

We will continue to monitor the corridor into Vancouver and provide updates on trends we’re seeing.

Check out last week’s freight rail capacity report. 

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